Fillable Printable Force Field Analysis

Force Field Analysis

Purpose: Force Field Analysis is a general tool for systematically analyzing the

factors found in complex problems. It frames problems in terms of factors or

pressures that support the status quo (restraining forces) and those pressures

that support change in the desired direction (driving forces). A factor can be

people, resources, attitudes, traditions, regulations, values, needs, desires, etc.

As a tool for managing change, Force Field Analysis helps identify those

factors that must be addressed and monitored if change is to be successful.

Procedure:

Step 1 Defining the Problem

What is the nature of our current situation that is unacceptable and needs

modification? It is useful to separate the specific problem from those things

that are working well.

Step 2 Defining the Change Objective

What is the desired situation that would be worth working toward? Be as

specific as possible.

Step 3 Identifying the Driving Forces

What are the factors or pressures that support change in the desired direc-

tion? What are the relative strengths of these forces? Place these driving

forces on the chart on the Force Field Analysis diagram as labeled arrows

with the length of the arrow reflecting the relative strength of each force.

What are the inter-relationships among the driving forces?

Step 4 Identifying the Restraining Forces

What are the factors or pressures that resist the proposed change and

maintain the status quo? Represent these forces on the diagram as you did

those for the driving forces. What are the inter-relationships among the

restraining forces?

Step 5 Developing the Comprehensive Change Strategy

The diagram created in steps three and four reflect what could be called a

state of quasi-stationary equilibrium. Although this is a relatively stable state,

movement can be achieved altering the factors currently contributing to this

equilibrium. Change can occur as a result of any combination of the following:

- strengthening any of the driving forces

- adding new driving forces (possibly by transforming a former restraining

force)

- removing or reducing any of the restraining forces

Step 5 should also include some consideration of some of the possible unin-

tended consequences when equilibrium forces are altered (e.g. increase

resistance, new alliances, fear, etc.).

Force Field

Analysis

STATUS QUO

LINE

Driving Forces

Restraining Forces

GAP ANALYSIS

The Way Things Are Steps to Get There The Way I Want Them